Children attempt suicide at a younger age

Young people who attempt suicide may be doing it at a younger age, according to a recently released study.

Researchers at the University of Washington found that 40 percent of 18- or 19-year olds who had attempted suicide made their first attempt before high school.

“The earliest age was age 9, so that’s either third or fourth grade,” said researcher James Mazza, in a statement. “There’s a sharp increase at sixth grade, so that’s age 12. They continue to rise, with the peak being eighth to ninth grade.”

In 2008, suicide was the fourth leading cause of death for children and teens.

The study was published in the Journal of Adolescent Health, and funded by the National Institutes of Health.